Tag Archives: music biz

Amazon Sells Gaga For 99 Cents

In a smackdown squarely aimed at iTunes, today Amazon began selling Lady Gaga’s new full-length album for a mere 99 cents. The release is priced at $11.99 on iTunes. Amazon’s sale is for today only.

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Will The Music Press Yawn About Tyler, Another Viciously Homophobic Rapper?

Rising rap star, music press darling, and Coachella 2011 “breakout artist” Tyler was the subject of a lengthy and fawning New York Times profile published last week. His new album, Goblin, debuts today. “Goblin” is spiteful, internal, confident, vitriolic, vividly bruised stuff, a shocking — and shockingly good — album that bears little resemblance to contemporary hip-hop. It has more …

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SATURDAY: Record Store Day

This Saturday is Record Store Day, an annual celebration of the nation’s dwindling music retailers in which acts such as the Beastie Boys make in-store appearances and issue special releases for the day. This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD …

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Target Responds To Dropped Gaga Deal

“We were very surprised and disappointed by the statements made by Lady Gaga’s organization related to her partnership with Target. Target remains committed to the LGBT community as demonstrated by our contributions to various LGBT organizations, our recently established Policy Committee to review our political giving and our respectful, inclusive workplace environment.” – Target spokesperson.

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Russell Simmons For New York Marriage

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Lady Gaga: I Made Target Change Ways

“That discussion was one of the most intense conversations I’ve ever had in a business meeting. Part of my deal with Target is that they have to start affiliating themselves with LGBT charity groups and begin to reform and make amends for the mistakes they’ve made in the past … our relationship is hinged upon their reform in the company …

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Digital Is Not Saving The Music Industry

Digital music sales have plummeted since their 2005 peak.

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Sony Kills The Walkman

After 30 years and 200 million units, Sony has announced the end of its iconic cassette Walkman. In other news, Sony was still making the Walkman. The Sony Discman, inexplicably, continues to live. I remember thinking the Walkman was overpriced and always getting cheapo knockoffs which would fall apart within a few months. I finally caved when that super-fly bright …

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Afternoon View – Dead Virgin

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Afternoon View – Medium Rare Records

I’d been told that the Castro’s Medium Rare Records would be closing soon and today I noticed a “for lease” sign above their front door. Sad, but not surprising. Almost all of the nation’s small record stores that catered to a gay clientele have closed in the last few years.

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Google To Compete With iTunes

Google is set to launch a music service expected to compete with industry pioneer iTunes. Google is in talks with music labels on plans for a download store and a digital song locker that would allow its mobile users to play songs wherever they are as it steps up its rivalry with Apple, according to people familiar with the matter. …

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Michael Jackson’s Billion Dollar Year

Michael Jackson died a year ago today, but his empire rolls on. In the final years of his life, Jackson’s finances were widely reported to be in chaos, with the singer facing foreclosure on his famed Neverland Ranch and struggling with debts of roughly $US500 million. However in the 12 months since Jackson’s death on June 25 last year, the …

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Chely Wright Talks Gay With Oprah

On Wednesday newly out country music singer Chely Wright told Oprah that only two of her industry colleagues have reached out to her since her revelation. “And they all have my email.” She also expressed shame for having once told a young gay friend to “get his sin out of my face.” Wright said she had to come out because …

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Apple Kills Music-Streamer Lala.com

Just a few months after Apple bought Lala, my favorite streaming music service, they are closing it down. They bought it to kill it. Apple will shut down its Lala online music streaming service on May 31. The move comes just five months after Apple bought Lala for an undisclosed price. Could this indicate Apple is serious about opening up …

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TRAILER: I Need That Record

Here’s the trailer for the upcoming DVD release of the documentary about the demise of music retail, I Need That Record. Featuring discussion and commentary by THURSTON MOORE of Sonic Youth, IAN MACKAYE of Dischord Records Fugazi/Minor Threat, activist/author NOAM CHOMSKY, MIKE WATT of the Minutemen, LENNY KAYEguitarist of the Patti Smith Group, CHRIS FRANTZ of the Talking Heads/Tom Tom …

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Posthumous Pop: Largest Record Deal In History For Estate Of Michael Jackson

The estate of Michael Jackson has signed the biggest record industry deal in history, one that guarantees at least $200M from Sony Music over the next ten years. The record-breaking contract through 2017 could be worth up to $250 million if certain conditions are met. One of the albums will be of never-before-released Jackson recordings that will come out in …

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2010 Brit Awards Winners

Lady Gaga dominated tonight’s Brit Awards, winning all three categories she was nominated for. Mercifully, the Brits only have about 1/20th the number of categories as the Grammys. British Female Solo Artist – Lily AllenBritish Male Solo Artist – Dizzee RascalBritish Breakthrough Act – JLSBritish Group – KasabianBritish Album – Florence & The Machine, LungsBritish Single – JLS, Beat AgainCritics …

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Lady Gaga At The 2010 Brit Awards

Lady Gaga dedicated her 2010 Brit Awards performance toinght to Alexander McQueen. (The Brits are the UK’s equivalent of the Grammys.) I’ll have a recap of the entire show up later tonight. This clip will likely have a brief life on YouTube.

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Google Shuts Down MP3 Blogs

Google has shut down a number of popular MP3 blogs on its Blogger service for copyright infringement. More shutdowns are promised. Over the course of the past day, the Google-owned blogging service Blogger has shut down a number of popular mp3 blogs, including Pop Tarts Suck Toasted, I Rock Cleveland, LivingEars, and It’s a Rap. If you follow the links …

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Music Stars Record For Haiti Relief

Taking advantage of those in town for the Grammys, yesterday producer Quincy Jones gathered a galaxy of pop stars for a re-recording of 1984’s We Are The World. Among the 70 artists lending their voices: Beyonce, Natalie Cole, Barbra Streisand, Usher, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Gladys Knight, Rihanna, Harry Connick, Kayne West, Toni Braxton, LL Cool J and Wyclef Jean. …

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